Importing Autocad Models to 3D Max

First topic message reminder :


This topic was always asked eversince, so i bring it now here, my workflow on importing Autocad Models to 3d Max.

I would like to share my workflow the proper way of linking Autocad Models to 3d Max. The procedures, the pros and cons and some important issues concerning the method.


Procedure 1

1. In Autocad I must first establish the units in meters as well as in 3d max. Although in Autocad you can model in any unit and rescaled it during the file linking process. But the issue there is the memory and the regeneration of your models in modeling procedures. It is okay if you are modeling a simple objects, but when it comes to a more complicated models, it meant a lot.

Now let me show this image to explain something about smoothing curves surfaces. If you are a cad modeler, and your intention is to render it in Autocad, this two command will be familiar to you. VIEWRES and FACETRES.

First is the VIEWRES Command


And the second is the FACETRES COMMAND


This two commands will clearly state how to manipulate all those curve and arched models you have.

You can also access it via Option commands.
Command: Options


Let me now give you some illustration of the work flows.

Here are one Sample Cad Models with Low Facetres and Viewres value
As you can see, all the arch, and sphere are all segmented


Same model with High Facetres and Viewrtes Value


The amount of both Facetres and Viewres when adjusted will significantly smooth the surface of both
the arched and the sphere models.

The question is, Is it necessary to adjust the amount of the Facetres and Viewres value? The answer will be base on your preference in modeling. If your intention is to render it in Autocad itself, then its a must, otherwise you will have all those segmented rendered object. Now if your intention is to bring it to your 3D Max program for final rendering, I advised to make a closer look to some of the illustration and procedures that follows.

Procedure 2 - Units Settings

I will be using the samples with Low Viewres and Facetres value.
AutoCad Units = millimeter

Set my units first in 3d Max to meters

-Open 3D Max and change my unit to meter.
-Go to Customized, then to Units
-Change the Sytem Unit Settings, and Display Units Scale




Procedure 3 - FILE LINK MAMANAGER

-Go to File Menu, then File Link Manager


-Then look for my Autocad Files


With no rescaling, i can get a result of this. All my sphere and arch model will get a smooth surface. Well its fine as I said especially if you are dealing with just simple objects, but when it comes to a more complicated ones, it meant a lots, regeneration of your drawing will takes time and the memory usage will boost up.



Now let us reset our 3d Max.
Or just detached your Autocad Models by hitting Detach Button.

On the File Link Manager Dialog Box go to Files and hit Detach, this will unload the models in the scene.


Redo the File Linking procedures, but for this time, hit rescale on dialog box shown


I will now get like this image

It’s okay if you have those segmented arcs and sphere, we will fixed it sooner. Regeneration of the drawing is quite faster and the memory it will take is much smaller. We will let 3D Max to do the job in smoothing the models

Procedure 4

To continue, go to Files of the File Link Manager Dialog Box. Tick the box on the Reload Option. Then press Reload. On reload option box, go to Basic then on Smooth Angle, adjust the value to 45.0, and on Maximum Surface Deviation for 3d Surface, make it 0.0m. Press ok, and all the arc and sphere model will smoothen. This is useful specially if you are dealing with large models. So you may or may not adjust both the viewres and facetres value to a higher amount that only takes so much time regenerating your models.


This is now the final view after adjusting the Smooth angle and Surface deviation.


Final Composition with some Opacity Mapping for the Trees


Rendered Image Sample


And another Sample



Procedure 5

Sometimes we dont have to model all in Autocad. Lines and splines are just enough. In these example, the handrail i use are just a poly lines


File Link to 3D Max


Adjust the Spline Settings on the Reload Option, and i got this tubular Handrails


Or a rectangular handrails


Hope it helps.

hi render master, ok to ah.. I'm new to 3D, tanong ko lang: pwede ba mag-import ng cad na may blocks, or dapat exploded lahat muna pero properly layered? nagtry kasi dati mag-import (with blocks) - nahirapan ako lagyan ng materials sa max kasi pati block names ay interpreted as layers.. for example- 6 lang layers ko sa cad,but since i have maybe 30 blocks.. lahat ung interpreted as geometry "VIZBLOCK".. Gusto ko sana kung ano ung layers ko sa Cad, un din lalabas sa max without exploding any blocks sa cad. Possible po ba un? here's my sample layer after importing to max..



Thanks!!

wow masubukan ko na nga!

onzki wrote:hi render master, ok to ah.. I'm new to 3D, tanong ko lang: pwede ba mag-import ng cad na may blocks, or dapat exploded lahat muna pero properly layered? nagtry kasi dati mag-import (with blocks) - nahirapan ako lagyan ng materials sa max kasi pati block names ay interpreted as layers.. for example- 6 lang layers ko sa cad,but since i have maybe 30 blocks.. lahat ung interpreted as geometry "VIZBLOCK".. Gusto ko sana kung ano ung layers ko sa Cad, un din lalabas sa max without exploding any blocks sa cad. Possible po ba un? here's my sample layer after importing to max..



Thanks!!

Sir ask ko lang po; why do you need to import your blocks to 3dsmax?...

tenks sir onel.. a big help!

to onzki

puede naman sir i mport ang cad files na may blocks. pag-import mo, Check mo iyong Derive Autocad Primitives By... read mo full explanation sa help files with these. Kapag medyo confused ka, buzz ka ulit.

render master wrote:to onzki

puede naman sir i mport ang cad files na may blocks. pag-import mo, Check mo iyong Derive Autocad Primitives By... read mo full explanation sa help files with these. Kapag medyo confused ka, buzz ka ulit.

Again; whats the purpose of importing the cad blocks too?...

cloud20 wrote:
Again; whats the purpose of importing the cad blocks too?...

Actually there are some instances na iyong mga scene natin sa cad eh merong mga blocks na naka 3d lalo na kapag mga baguhan lang. what they do is to compile thier model ( say a chair or a sofa) into blocks kase di pa nila alam proper modelling na puede nama kahit di gawing blocks iyong model. so malamang naging ganun ang workflow nila

One more thing sa autocad architecture kase maraming premade 3d blocks. mga 3d model na may kanikaniyang 3d components. so iyon....

ayos na ayos to,sa autocadd kasi ako nag mo model,hehehe,ask ko lang mas magaan ba kung sa 3ds max ka mag model? o pareho lang,parang gusto ko na kasi mag shift mag model sa 3ds max,thanx

render master wrote:

cloud20 wrote:
Again; whats the purpose of importing the cad blocks too?...

Actually there are some instances na iyong mga scene natin sa cad eh merong mga blocks na naka 3d lalo na kapag mga baguhan lang. what they do is to compile thier model ( say a chair or a sofa) into blocks kase di pa nila alam proper modelling na puede nama kahit di gawing blocks iyong model. so malamang naging ganun ang workflow nila

One more thing sa autocad architecture kase maraming premade 3d blocks. mga 3d model na may kanikaniyang 3d components. so iyon....

Ahhhh... Yup... Autocad Architecture na dating Architectural Desktop... Yan ang gamit ko sir... Pero dapat ilayo na natin sila sa mga blocks (pangit) and instead wean them towards the premade models temporarily until they can model themselves... Personal POV lang po...

cloud20 wrote:

Ahhhh... Yup... Autocad Architecture na dating Architectural Desktop... Yan ang gamit ko sir... Pero dapat ilayo na natin sila sa mga blocks (pangit) and instead wean them towards the premade models temporarily until they can model themselves... Personal POV lang po...

youre right with these.

tanong lang po sir saa ba makikita yong file manager para maka link po ako hindi ko kasi makikita, sana matulongan po nyo ako. thanks

johnolive100 wrote:tanong lang po sir saa ba makikita yong file manager para maka link po ako hindi ko kasi makikita, sana matulongan po nyo ako. thanks

its on 3D Max File Menu

newbie here..sir, ano kaya naging problema sa ginawa ko.. i just follow the flow of your intstructions, pero yung outcome eh lumobo yung mga objects ko? bakit po kaya? TIA

jasperjohn wrote:newbie here..sir, ano kaya naging problema sa ginawa ko.. i just follow the flow of your intstructions, pero yung outcome eh lumobo yung mga objects ko? bakit po kaya? TIA

Review your settings

jasperjohn wrote:newbie here..sir, ano kaya naging problema sa ginawa ko.. i just follow the flow of your intstructions, pero yung outcome eh lumobo yung mga objects ko? bakit po kaya? TIA

maybe unwanted lines,delete mo mga lines na hindi kailangan

i see.. thanks mga bro